Walk the land

The October 30 special town meeting in Princeton promises to be a barn-burner, but it will also be a harbinger of sorts.

The issue garnering the lion's share of attention will be the request to borrow $400,000 to purchase 25 acres of hayfields and keep them for open space and passive recreation. That sum will join another $100,000 from assorted town funds for a total investment of $500,000.

Those 25 acres are part of the 168 acres that have been eyed for development by Fox Hill Builders, which has proposed building anywhere from 23 to 36 homes.

A counter-proposal by the Trust For Public Land and the Princeton Land Trust would leave most of the land untouched, and a maximum of eight houses built. The $2.9 million cost for buying the entire parcel would come from a number of sources, both public and private, and include state contributions and grants.

The argument for preserving the property is compelling, and it won't be the last one made in Princeton, or in the surrounding towns. Proponents point to a fiscal impact study which, when boiled to its essence, makes the case that any disposition of the property will be a cost to the town. But the prospect of 20-plus homes is the more expensive option because of the ongoing cost for services - from schools to road maintenance to police/fire.

As such, proponents are promoting a tasteful, limited development coupled with town investment as the best route not only to preserving a picturesque piece of land, but in the long run as a cheaper solution.

Only Princeton voters can say whether this upfront expense is worth it. Certainly, significant increases in the tax bills make a purchase of this magnitude a tough sell. Taxpayers are looking ahead to a rough budget year, knowing that lottery revenues are down and everything else is rising.

Regardless, residents shouldn't make the final decision without taking one more step … literally.

The Four Corners area at Gates and Old Colony roads is on the map, but how many have been there? It's one thing to weigh the pro's and con's of an issue based on data sheets, quite another to do so while standing in the high grass.

Folks should get a first-hand look at the subject of this debate and place the issue in a real, physical context. Tours are being conducted of the Bentley property this Saturday by representatives from Trust for Public Land, Princeton Land Trust, Four Corners Preservation Society and Mass Audubon. Visitors will have an opportunity walk the land and ask questions about the various proposals lined up for it.

Those who can't make the tour can still visit the property on their own - there's time. At the very least, it's worth making the trip to become a better informed voter on October 30.